Yes, you can use the American Express Platinum card airline credit for seat upgrades. The annual $200 airline fee credit covers flight-related incidentals, such as seat assignment fees, that are charged to an American Express Platinum card.

You cannot directly "buy" a seat upgrade using the American Express Platinum Card's $200 Airline Fee Credit, as this credit is strictly for "incidental" fees like checked bags or in-flight snacks. However, there are three "gold standard" ways to use the card for better seating in 2026. First, the International Airline Program (IAP) allows Platinum members to book discounted First, Business, and Premium Economy fares on over 20 partner airlines when booking through Amex Travel. Second, you can use your Membership Rewards points to pay for a higher class of service at checkout or transfer them to airline partners (like Delta or British Airways) to book a "Reward Upgrade." Third, the $200 credit can often be used for preferred seat selection fees—such as snagging an exit row or a "Main Cabin Extra" seat—as long as it is not a change in the actual cabin class (e.g., Economy to Business). For those who want the ultimate upgrade, many Platinum members use their card's lounge access and concierge services to make the ground experience feel like First Class, even if they are flying in the back of the plane.